Bearing Failure

Determining the cause of failure for a spindle repair is much like a CSI investigation. Northland Tool & Electronics gathers as much information as possible from our customers including machine history, manufacturing process, estimated loads, coolant usage, noise heard, surface finish and a spindle history. We use this information in conjunction with the evidence we gather from the spindle, both internally and externally to determine the cause of failure. Using this information we make recommendations as to how to avoid future instances of failure.

One of the most important clues is the bearing condition. We have listed some of the common failure modes and their appearance to help you understand the workings of your spindle.

Excessive loads on bearings show flaking and heavy wear on the raceways and rolling elements. Excessive loading causes bearing heat, lubrication breakdown, bearing noise, vibration, and premature bearing failure. Read More...

Contaminated bearings will show discoloration or rust on the bearing surfaces. Contamination causes lubrication breakdown, excessive bearing heat, bearing noise, vibration and premature bearing failure. Read More...

Seizure of bearings shows severe damage of the raceways and rolling elements. Heat discoloration, extreme wear, fracture or melting of the cage can also be expected. Bearing seizure causes the shaft to stop turning! It can also cause additional work to be needed such as grind plate grind to bearing journals and bearing housings. Read More...

Shock loads on bearings show sever flaking and denting at ball-spaced intervals. Shock loading of the bearings causes bearing noise, vibration, poor surface finish and premature bearing failure. Unfortunately bearings subjected to shock loading quickly turn into bearing seizures. Read More...

Misaligned bearings show heavy wear marks diagonally across the bearing racewa. Misalignment causes bearing noise, vibration, inability to hold fine surface finish and premature bearing failure. Read More...

Improper Clamping - Improper clamping of spindle housings causes bearing noise, vibration, inability to hold fine surface finish and premature bearing failure. Read More...